Happy Campers

Labor Day weekend (Yes, I'm posting way out of order.) gave us an opportunity to escape to Paris Mountain State Park for a weekend of camping--Henry's first camping trip.  Well, I should clarify.  He did camp all summer, and, in fact, he probably was better prepared than Daddy and I were after he practically dwelled in a mock campsite at school all summer.  It took quite a while and some extra support (Thanks, Grandjoe!) to get up the tent we borrowed.  But, eventually, we had our Taj Ma'Tent up.  We also had some good company, and Henry was glad to have Ella along for the trip.

Here they are just after Henry informed the Park Ranger that his job was to "give a big fat ticket!" and he still kindly gave Henry and Ella a Park Ranger sticker/ badge.

The rest of us were either grilling hot dogs, shopping for firewood (Thanks, Shane.) or fretting over the zillion extra tent poles.  Eventually, after s'mores were devoured, we crashed in our respective tents and slept really, really well.  There's just something about sleeping outside that makes it so good.  Exploring, strolling and biking were the order of the mid-morning.

The Williams went home for the day to watch some football while the Hughes family crawled back in our tent for some more of that really, really good sleeping.

After we were sufficiently rested, we went for a hike around the lake where Cory and I were reminded again of how independent Henry is now.  He was always either in front of our behind us, only letting us help him when we came across the log that just needed to be crossed.

He did let me indulge in a little photo session, so you'll have to indulge me, too:

Oh, and Penny broke the rules, but she totally deserved it.  Camping is just not the same for her as it used to be--not nearly as energy spending, so she had a lot to get out, and water is her favorite neurosis!

After our easy hike, Henry embarked on a climb up the Mayan Ruins.

Kidding.  It was the bath house stairs.

Then, we took a bath (kidding again):

The Williams returned, and we ate s'mores again, sat around the fire, then slept really, really well.  (Except, Amber reports that Ella and Shane booted her off their air mattress.  Ouch!)  Thanks, friends, for spending the weekend camping with us.  Let's do it again!  We promise to bring directions for our tent next time.

Now, what does Henry report was his favorite part of camping?

Packing up the tent.

No, I don't think he was ready to come home, but he truly enjoyed roaming around our campsite and playing with a caterpillar who, sadly, didn't survive the poking and prodding.  Or, maybe it was the shock of Henry's self-selected outfit that did him in.